There were several reasons we (as in me, P.B., and my co-architect in this TLBAS business Charlie Hall) were hesitant to get the band back together, as it were.

Tony and Sam Goddess (without their involvement, the 2010 TUSK shows never would’ve materialized) weren’t available for this go-round. Neither was bassman and TLBAS breakout star Dave Hartley, currently touring the world and elsewhere with The War on Drugs, when he’s not doing the same with his Nightlands thing.

There was also the inclination to just leave things where they were. Those TUSK shows were such unbelievable, way-beyond-our-wildest-dreams fun. What if we regrouped and the mojo wasn’t there? You know what Sade said, ‘Never as good as the first time.’ Definitely something to that…

Happy to report that we (as in Charlie, our songbird/tambourine lady/peppermint oil peddler Birdie Busch, and yours truly) regrouped with new members Eliza Hardy Jones, Brandon Beaver, and Dave Wayne Daniels and found some new mojo; had plenty more unbelievable, way-beyond-our-wildest-dreams fun playing the MIRAGE album top-to-bottom (and more).

From the bottom of our hearts, a huge thank you to everyone who attended the MIRAGE (and more) shows in Philly and Brooklyn. Kicking this little thing off on our home turf in Philly was a little nerve-rattling but also quite exciting. Brooklyn? What can we say. You people were absolutely, 100 percent fucking nuts. Especially the blonde gal down front who yelled out (paraphrasing): ‘If I was wearing underwear, I’d throw them at you,’ who I’m fairly certain was also the same person who yelled out ‘So, who’s boning who?’ (answer: no one).

Wish we were doing some more shows, but those two dates are all that’s in the cards at the present time.

As for the future? Personally, I’d love to do this thing as much as possible. I’d love for this thing to rock a party or booze cruise or wedding for a super Mac fan (ALL REASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED - ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS). As to not get totally depressed when we wrap up a given project, I’m beginning to look at TLBAS like a very boutique pop-up store. It’ll appear sporadically, and appeal to a fairly select though quite rabid group of folks. I can totally live with that.

If you attended the MIRAGE (and more) shows and have pix/video/recollections, feel free to share here, on Twitter, and Facebook.

‘Til we meet again…

-pb, 2/20/12, philadelphia, pa.

Hard to believe that the MIRAGE (and more) shows are almost upon us. Just in case you haven’t heard, we’ll be playing Fleetwood Mac’s 1982 album MIRAGE in its entirety - along with some choice Mac and solo Lindsey gems tomorrow (Friday) at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia and this Saturday at Littlefield in Brooklyn. If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, we suggest doing so now. They’re going fast. Honest. For serious.

Tix for Philly here. Tix for Brooklyn here.

A few homeroom announcements then we’ll let you go.

First, don’t sleep on the openers. Pete Donnelly (of the Figgs, NRBQ, and Soul Asylum) in Philly; “multi-faceted entertainer” Dave Hill in Brooklyn. Both well-worth paying the babysitter for an extra hour. Pete’s on at 9:15 (we hit at 10:15), Dave’s on at 8:30 (we hit at 9:30).

Second, the amazing New York-based artist Jess Rotter has designed a sweet flyer/poster for the shows which you can view here. Jess has also produced an exclusive limited edition print to be sold only at these shows. We’re not going to give away the print design, but trust us, it’s amazing. Or, should we say, “perfect.” Jess has a cool line of ’70s themed rock apparel at her website, RotterAndFriends.com.

Lastly, remember how Schlitz sponsored the MIRAGE tour (proof)? In the interest of keeping it real, we have a beer sponsor for our show at Johnny Brenda’s: Downingtown, Pa.’s own Victory Brewing. It is a damn fine beer. Much better than Schlitz.

That’s all for everyone. See you at the shows.

-TLBAS

For those who like a bargain and are lucky enough to have a date and/or friend with whom they can attend our MIRAGE (and more) show at Littlefield in Brooklyn this coming Saturday (Feb. 18), take note: Time Out NY is offering 2-for-1 tickets for a limited time.

That’s 2 tickets for $12 USD. You can’t even park at a Fleetwood Mac show for less than $12 these days.

Get the deal here.

Happy to share this flyer/poster for next week’s MIRAGE (and more) shows, from the amazing Jess Rotter.

Happier to tell you Jess has produced an exclusive print to be sold only at these shows.

We’re not going to give away the print design, but trust us, it’s amazing. Or, should we say, “perfect.”

Jess has a sweet line of ’70s themed rock apparel at her website, RotterAndFriends.com.

A day late on this, but happy 35th birthday to Rumours.

One of these days, we will summon the necessary balance of courage, nerve, chutzpah, balls, moxie, and fearlessness to cover this one top-to-bottom.

But first we gotta get through MIRAGE (and more). Then maybe LAW & ORDER. And BUCKINGHAM/NICKS.

Hard to believe that our MIRAGE (and more) shows are fast approaching.

In case you forgot, we’ll be performing the MIRAGE album in its entirety - along with some other choice Mac & Lindsey solo gems - Friday, February 17 at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia with special guest Pete Donnelly, and Saturday, February 18 at Littlefield in Brooklyn with special guest Dave Hill, the One Man Heat-Bringing Machine.

Tickets are going fast. Honest. Get tix for Philly here, and Brooklyn here.

We’ve been doing ever-so-quiet living room rehearsals in Philly to get the harmonies just so. We were doing as much one night until we paused long enough to take the photos you see here. Next week, we plug in.

A few of you have asked about the “and more” portion of the show. We don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, but we’ll disclose this much: we’re doing two songs off of Tango in the Night, and three “Christine” songs. Because you have NO IDEA how close this came to being called The Christine McVie Appreciation Society. No idea…

Hope to see you at the shows!

Founding TLBAS member Charlie Hall and bassist/vocalist Dave Hartley, who was with us for the 2010 TUSK shows, will be performing with The War on Drugs tonight (well, very early Wednesday morning, actually) on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. It’s on NBC at 12:35 a.m. No need to check local listings. You get that.

Charlie’s on keys, Dave’s on bass.

BONUS: Roots drummer Amir Questlove Thompson will be sitting in with W.O.D. and Upper Darby’s own Tina Fey is the lead guest.

That’s a whole mess of Philly right there.

The original demo of “Smile At You” (which eventually appeared on SYW) from the MIRAGE sessions. Pretty cool. Maybe one day we’ll put together a show of just outtakes/b-sides/original versions/covers & such. Any excuse to play the RUMOURS outtake “Think About It,” really.

In addition to playing the MIRAGE album in its entirety at Johnny Brenda’s in Philly Feb. 17 and Littlefield in Brooklyn on Feb. 18, we’ll be doing some other Mac & Lindsey solo gems.

So, any requests?

E-mail us. Hit us up on Facebook. Or drop us a line on Twitter.

For your consideration, the “Hold Me” demo. We prefer the album version. It’s all in Christine’s phrasing. There’s a subtle ‘squaring off’ to her cadence on the demo. Oh, and no Lindsey harmony. Interesting to hear, though.